Synopsis for July 30, 2004

Violence-Related Behaviors Among High School
Students ― United States, 1991-2003

Although these data show reductions during the past 12 years in violence-related behaviors among high school students, many youth still engage in weapon carrying and physical fighting, and some students feel too unsafe to attend school. Schools and communities should continue efforts to establish physical and social environments that promote actual and perceived safety and prevent violence.

Overall, violence-related behaviors among high school students in the United States have decreased since 1991, according to data from the CDCs national Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The percentage of students who reported being in a physical fight during the 12 months preceding the survey declined from 42.5 percent in 1991 to 33.0 percent in 2003. This decline was evident among male, female, white, black, and Hispanic students. However, the percentage of students who missed school because they felt too unsafe to attend during the 30 days preceding the survey increased significantly between 1993 and 2003. This increase was seen among female, white, and 11th-grade students, but no significant change was detected among male, black, Hispanic, 9th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students.

The number of infant deaths in the first month of life (neonatal mortality) has declined considerably over the past decade but differences among infants of different races and ethnicities remain. Among all infants, those born preterm, account for the majority of these deaths. Neonatal mortality is important to monitor since it accounts for two thirds of infant mortality, a primary measure of childrens well-being. To reduce neonatal mortality further efforts should continue to focus on preventing preterm births and reducing disparity.

PRESS CONTACT:
Office of Communications

CDC, National Center for Health Statistics(301) 458-4800

From 1989-2001 the neonatal mortality rate (deaths of infants less than <28 days) declined by 25 percent in the United States. Declines were seen in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white, black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander populations, however, neonatal mortality among non-Hispanic black infants continued to be nearly twice that of other racial/ethnic populations. Approximately half of neonatal mortality occurred among extremely preterm infants (<28 weeks' gestation). Advances in neonatal medicine and recommendations aimed at preventing certain causes of neonatal death likely contributed to the decline. Results suggest that further emphasis on preventing preterm birth may have a greater effect on reducing neonatal mortality in the future.

National, State, and Urban Area Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 19-35 Months ― United States, 2003

The findings in this report indicate that among U.S. children aged 1935 months, estimated coverage with recommended vaccines was greater in 2003 than in 2002 and represented all-time highs. Childhood vaccination coverage increased to 79.4 percent in 2003 for the 4:3:1:3:3 series compared to 74.8 percent in 2002 and 73.7 percent in 2001 and 72.9 percent in 2000.

PRESS CONTACT:
Office of Communications

CDC, National Immunization Program(404) 639-8487

There have been significant increases in coverage rates for varicella (chickenpox) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, two of the most recent additions to the childhood immunization schedule. However, there remains wide variability in coverage among states and urban areas.